Enugu Tribunal Orders Gov Mbah’s Appearance over Certificate Forgery

The Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Thursday ordered Governor Peter Mbah to appear before it, to testify on his allegedly National Youth Service Corps discharged certificate forgery. The order was a sequel to an application made by the Peoples Redemption Party, through its Counsel, Mr Alex Amujiogo.

Mbah, who was declared winner of the March 18, Governorship election in Enugu State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, is facing a mounting challenge from the Labour Party candidate, Chijioke Edeoga and PRP candidate, Elder Christopher Agu over his alleged forgery of the National Youths Service Corps Discharge Certificate presented to the electoral umpire.

The PRP candidate, Agu like the LP candidate is seeking to upturn the declaration of Gov Mbah as the winner of the March 18 governorship election conducted in the State. Agu in a petition filed before the Tribunal is claiming among others that Mbah was not qualified to contest the election, having allegedly forged an NYSC discharge certificate, among other issues.

At the resumed hearing, on Thursday, the PRP’s counsel, Amujiogo told the tribunal that Mbah was supposed to be in court as a subpoenaed witness. He, however, said from the affidavit deposed to by the bailiff of the Tribunal, it had been difficult to serve Mbah the summon.

Amujiogo had moved an application, urging the Tribunal to grant a substituted service of the summon on Mbah through his counsel. Although the application was opposed by the three respondents, the INEC, Mbah as well as the Peoples Democratic Party, on the grounds that it was supposed to come by way of motion, it was supported by an affidavit during the pre-trial session. They were however, overruled by the Tribunal.

Consequently, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice K. M. Akano ordered that the subpoena be served on Mbah through his counsel and that he should appear before the Tribunal, June 23, 2023.

An official of the NYSC from the National Secretariat, Abuja, Mr Aliu Muhammed, who also appeared on behalf of the Director-General of the Corps, tendered an affidavit to the Tribunal, declaring that an order of a Federal High Abuja, was inhibiting them from tendering the disclaimer the Corps made against Mbah’s certificate. Muhammed was in court following a subpoena on NYSC.